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The Fairy Garden Goes Native

When water is at a premium, you cut corners where you can. I’ve emptied most of my pots, and either replanted with succulents or used the pots for something else.

Our deck top fairy garden requires very little water, but seeing those precious drops fall through the holes in the bottom spurred me to action. Last week, my miniature fairy garden went native.

Fairy Garden Newly Planted with Succulents

I meant to save the markers so I could record the name of the plants, but they’ve gone AWOL…or I tossed them with the transplanting newsprint. The good news: the plants sat on my deck for two to three weeks without a drop of water. They passed the test!

Succulents Up Close

I’m actually quite smitten with these plants. They fit right in, don’t you think?

There’s a story behind the little wooden house (it used to be haunted!). You can read more about that here. After replanting the garden, I spruced up the house with some new drapes. If you look closely, you’ll see that they’re carefully assembled from the finest Washi tape in the land. Nothing but the finest for mystical fairies. The new garden path is also special. I gathered those lovely, flat green stones on the beach in Victoria last summer. Wilma of the Creartfuldodger took Boomdee and me beach-combing along the beautiful island shore. These stones evoke special memories of that day.

You can view the gallery by clicking on the first photo, then follow the arrows. It took me a bit of time to sort that one out. 😉

Fairy Garden, Just Outside the Front Door

Replanted Fairy Garden, The Long View

Little Free Library, Fairy-Sized

My Own ‘Victoria Garden’ Path

Newly Hung Washi Tape Drapes

Secret Path to the Reading Garden

Fallen Log Bridge

Reading Nook

Extra Chairs for Story Time

Aerial View

Succulents Up Close

All the other treasures in the garden are found objects or gifts. The wooden house came from my son’s craft collection. I rescued it from the trash. The reading patio is an upside down candle holder and the charming chair, cat and rose pillow flew here from Canada via Boomdee. Marcia and her girls surprised me with the pink mushroom one cool fall day.

I built the (little) Little Free Library from matchboxes, stickers and an empty box. A clothes pin and a bit of duct tape keep it in place. A friend taught me how to make the heart-shaped chairs from the top of a champagne closure.

Are you a fairy gardener, too? It’s easy and fun and incredibly relaxing. You can garden anywhere at any time, limited only by your imagination. Jump right in. The [lack of water] is fine!

Postscript: You won’t believe this. Just before sitting down to write this, I received an out-of-the-blue package from my friend Kristi. Inside: her lovely note and a couple of fairy garden treasures. Check back tomorrow, for updates. I can’t wait to show them off. Thanks, Kristi xox

Yes! Exactly. I once took several stems of lavender and wove them into a fairy bead. Soft and fragrant. Acorns make wonderful decor as well. After you cut a drying vine, you can use the sticks for fencing. The skies the limit.

I’m sure the fairies appreciate the new decor. You are a slave to their whims. I’m anxious to see what else new you have and what you do with it. I too, love succulents. I’ll tell you a little secret. Last week after breakfast out with my daughter, my son and I stopped by the Fabric Depot for a few moments, (ha) and since we were already halfway there, on to the craft warehouse for a stroll. (We shouldn’t be allowed in with our credit cards.) My son, yes, my son, saw a book on Fairy Gardens and bought it. I had nothing to do with it. He also loves miniature bonsai trees and orchids. What a guy. Surprises me every day. My little fairy garden held it’s own through the winter and is perking up. I put it back outside as soon as we had no freeze. Yours looks so lovely.

I am *tickled pink* to hear that your son bought a book about fairy gardens. Knowing he likes bonsai, this seems like a natural extension for him. I can’t wait to hear what he does when he finishes the book. Please keep me posted

I’m also pleased that your fairy garden survived the winter. I’ll bet it will take off now that it is outside and the weather is reliably warm.

How delightful that he continues to surprise you every day. What a great ‘mom’ moment.

I will keep you posted. Right now he’s working on my car. A little scary but he’s the kind of guy that figures things out. Always full of surprises. Mechanics charge so much. Have a wonderful week. Hugs

Yes, he’s a Renaissances man. Very eclectic interests. He paints, loves photography which leads to a love a plants and flowers. Right now he’s working on my car. The list could go on and on. I won’t bore you though. 🙂

You never bore me, and I doubt you ever could. I married a Renaissance man. It’s wonderful spending time with people of varying interests. Come to think of it, my dad was that way too. My dad painted, gardened, designed gardens, and dabbled in photography, 8mm movies, stamp and coin collecting. He traveled, volunteered and set a good example for his girls.

In my experience, good men are hard to come by. I remained single for many many years before meeting Mike. I tried to make the wrong relationships work, and of course they didn’t. I married Mike just shy of my 36th birthday and feel incredibly lucky that we found each other at a dance I almost didn’t attend.

What a fun coincidence, Cyndi. Thanks for your kind words along with hope for life-giving moisture as you so eloquently put it. We’re heading into the dries time of year for our state. Ever drop counts.

Thank you, Stacy! I first learned about them when I volunteered at the elementary school garden. In their truest form, you gather rocks, sticks, leaves and other bits of nature and craft a house in a log, tree stump or under a clearing. They’ve caught on in the past few years, and now many nurseries sell tiny furniture to go with them. It’s so much fun.

Every time you post about your fairy garden I think ‘I would love to begin creating one again …..’ Maybe one day the time will be right! I am so glad you have been encouraged to plant native type plants for your fairies – I am sure they will be so much happier and their work will be so much more obvious to you now 🙂 It is one of a droughts silver linings I think, that we are encouraged to revert to growing what grows naturally in an area. You mentioned in a previous comment that the gardens were initially made with found objects, which of course meant we also planted them from what was found locally – then of course we got all fancy-dancy about it and the poor old fairies found themselves dwelling in a kind of McDonalds smorgasbord [I’ve just mixed my countries and metaphors there 🙂 ] so it is really good that you have ‘gone native’ as they say 🙂 There you are, leading the way in Fairy Gardens again Alys! xoxo

Oh Pauline, you are so dear. You make me smile, while tickling my funny bone and teaching me a thing or two.

I’m glad these posts inspire the fairy gardener in you. Perhaps you can create one around Christmas when your weather is warm again and you have all that free time. 😉

Seriously, I always think I’ll have more time in the nebulous future than I do now. Since that doesn’t always come true, I find myself carving out the time here and there to do the things I want to do, or I take it off the list and make peace with the fact that it isn’t going to happen, like becoming a ballerina or learning the piano. 🙂

Oh, we’ll never stop dreaming, Pauline. And think of the dreams that have come true like our visit to D.C. Given a choice between becoming a ballerina and spooning with you in Julia’s basement, I’m happy to let a closet full of tutu’s and toe shoes drift into the ether.

This is my first visit to your fairy garden–it’s so special and full of fun! Succulents seem to be your best option and they are so gorgeous and varied. We can’t grow then outdoors here, except for a few sedums, but I love them all!

I have so much fun with my fairy gardens. I have a page dedicated to the start of my hobby if you’re interested. I think I might start another one in a corner of the garden, or perhaps under the Little Free Library. You’ve got me thinking now.

OMgosh, I seemed to have missed your little fairy work of wonder. I’m just bebopping around to try and say hello and see what everyone is up to for a wee bit this morning before I jet off.

You have set everything up so cute (( Alys )). Everywhere I look is a reminder of our time together. I’m glad that that the kitty fits in, I hope it didn’t make you sad to have him in the garden, is it about a year that you said goodbye to dear Beijing? I do love that you have two distinct gardens connected by a bridge too. It’s absolutely wonderful and whimsical. Those mushrooms are cute as can be too. Every little thing…..delightful !! Just like you. xoxo K hugs (not fairy sized ones, **Big** jumbo ones)

I”m so glad you found this post. I know you are equally fond of miniature fairy gardens. There are signs of you everywhere.

You have an amazing memory. We lost Beijing June 5th. I remember hoping that she could hang in with us one more day so that she didn’t die on C’s birthday. I didn’t place the ceramic cat in the garden at first, but as the loss softens and the joyful memories surface, I look at it as a nice reminder of her and of you and your thoughtfulness. The card you made is equally memorable and beautiful.

Now that I’ve added the succulents, I’m really enjoying the look and the guilt-free ease of care. By the way, that little rose on the chair is from you as well.

I hope you aren’t too crazy busy with work, house projects and gardening. I’ll bet it feels good though to have emptied your locker and planted a summer garden. Like me, I know you enjoy decorating your porch and deck, too. It’ so much fun, isn’t it?

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I'm passionate about gardening, organizing, blogging and cats. I live in Silicon Valley, California with my husband of 24 years. We have two grown sons, but our feline family varies. The current count is three.